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How to Enjoy Night of Lights at Mammoth Mountain

Night of Lights is an epic mountainside celebration packed with family-friendly activities, live music, fireworks, a torchlight parade and more. The 2017 event takes place at Canyon Lodge on Saturday, December 16 with activities beginning at 4:30 p.m. Ready for fun? Here are some insider tips to help you make the most of the evening festivities.

Getting There

Nailing down some logistics ahead of time will definitely make things more enjoyable. There are several ways to get to Canyon Lodge for the event: You can walk if you are staying nearby, ride the free Village Gondola, take a free shuttle bus, or drive.

Parking is quite limited and getting out of the lot at the end of the evening can be a hassle, so getting there by any means other than driving is highly recommended.

Patience is key as lines for the gondola and shuttles can be long, particularly immediately before and after the main Night of Lights show that begins at 6:45 p.m. and lasts for around 45 minutes. Be aware that streets can be slippery and you should wear light-colored clothing and carry a flashlight to make yourself visible to drivers. If you are driving, please go slowly and anticipate a large volume of foot traffic.

Where to Watch

This year the mountain is offering two special viewing areas — the outdoor Rooftop Viewing Area and the indoor Family Club room — in addition to the usual free areas outside of Canyon Lodge.

Rooftop Viewing on the fifth floor of Canyon Lodge with standing room and limited seating is available. Ticket prices to come.

But, if you aren’t interested in premium seating, you don’t need to pay anything to attend and can take in all the festivities from outside Canyon Lodge for free. There’s no need to fight for a first-row spot, either—Night of Lights is a huge spectacle that attracts a large crowd. Be a part of this fun holiday celebration.

What to Wear & Bring

Starting at 4:30, kids can enjoy short snowmobile rides, sledding, face painting and other activities.

Be aware that the sun sets in Mammoth Lakes right around 4:30 at this time of year, and even after a warm day the temperature drops very quickly as night falls. Dress in warm layers and remember that you will be standing around, outside, on snow for several hours and it could even be snowing! Even if the kids work up a sweat playing in the snow, they’ll mostly be stationary during the show and while waiting for your transportation afterward, so layering is important. An insulated jacket, warm socks, snow boots, mittens, hats, and snow pants are all musts. Consider using hand warmers and facemasks and bringing blankets. A helmet is nice to have for the snowmobile and sledding activities, but isn’t required.

Food concessions and live music start at at 5 p.m., with a bubble magic show at 5:15 ahead of the big event at 6:45. It’s best to eat an early dinner before going up, then bring along a snack or two and perhaps buy a hot chocolate. The fireworks and torchlight parade are the can’t-miss events and the other activities are less important. If your child is really eager to sled and snowmobile, maybe you’ll prioritize those activities and leave before the fireworks finish. Evaluate the options, check the weather forecast, and plan accordingly.

Seriously, don’t miss this event

Torchlight parades are a grand and longtime ski area tradition, and the mountain teams and instructors have been busy preparing. Seeing them glide down the hill is definitely memorable. Witnessing the fireworks reflecting on the snow and feeling the explosions reverberate through the mountains is an unforgettable experience.